Looking for a feature specific 9mm

[DAP90]

I currently have a Bersa Thunder 380. What I’d like to do is find a 9mm of approx. the same size and with the same features.

For those of you who don’t know it’s a single stack, SA/DA, exposed hammer, safety/decocker with a 3.5” barrel. I’d like the grip to be sufficient for all fingers but it would be fine if this was accomplished by means of an extended mag.

I know Bersa has the 9mm UC but they are double stacks and feel much thicker to me. CZ has some as well but with the same issue. Kahr makes a nice thin handgun but I really want the safety/decocker and SA/DA.

Does anyone know of such an animal? I’d be willing to have a little less barrel length but ideally would like the rest of the features.

Thanks

 

[wbwanzer]

How about a S&W 3913? I'm pretty sure it's got everything you're looking for, without making a trip to the safe to check for certain. I just realized that the hammer is not exposed on the 3913.


Here's a comparison with a double stack Stoeger Cougar.

 

[DAP90]

I could probably live without an exposed hammer if it had the safety and decocker. For some reason I didn't look at S&W. I'll check them out, thanks.

Have you had any issues with yours?

 

[wbwanzer]

No issues yet. When I researched the 3913 on the various forums they were very highly regarded.

I bought mine for the few times I would be able to carry when out of state, although I have not had that chance yet. I live in the People's Republic of Maryland so carrying here is out of the question.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Well for your original spec requirements, I say the Sig P6s currently available fit well.

If you can live without the exposed hammer, I highly recommend the H&K P7...currently still available at very good priced as German Police trade-ins. While they don't have a safety or de-cocker per se, they do de-cock with the relaxing of your grip and are by far the safest guns out there (striker completely blocked while cocking or de-cocking unless trigger is pressed; returns to safe if dropped while cocked) while still being quick into action.

What you do gain is a 4" barrel in a smaller package, a fixed barrel, straighter feed angle and a lower bore line

 

[wbwanzer]

I just went to the safe. The 3913 is DA/SA with decocker.

 

[DAP90]

I should have asked this question months ago.

I swear I checked out all the Sigs. Must have missed the P6

 

[Cocked & Locked]

S&W 908 or 908s

I'll throw the thin and flat S&W 908 9mm in the offering...3.5" barrel single stack (8+1) de-cocker/safety on left side only. If you prefer stainless that would be the 908s.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

How about a Sig 239?

 

[David E]

I swear I checked out all the Sigs. Must have missed the P6

It's essentially a Sig 225.......presuming you didn't overlook that one.

The 3913 does have an exposed hammer, it just doesn't have a hammer spur. However, the top of the hammer is serrated, so you can slightly cock the hammer via the trigger, then complete the cocking stroke with the support thumb to single action.

It's not difficult to do, once you get the feel of it, but in practical applications, there isn't much need for it.

 

[Girodin]

say the Sig P6s currently available fit well.

The sig P6 is a single stack of course but it has a double stack sized grip. If the aversion to a double stack is grip size then I'm not sure a P6 is a single stack that will help. The last time I had one in hand it seemed to be about the size of a Glock 19.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The sig P6 is a single stack of course but it has a double stack sized grip

The thickness you are referring to is due to stock thickness rather than frame thickness...you can put thinner grip panels on the 225/P6

 

[DAP90]

To answer the question; it is thickness that makes me want a single stack. I have shot/handled/carried a few different double stacks and didn't care for them.

I'll almost certainly try to handle each of these suggestions before I buy one. I haven't been to the S&W website yet but it appears as if the 3913 is discontinued so in some cases that may be more difficult than others.

 

[Girodin]

The thickness you are referring to is due to stock thickness rather than frame thickness...you can put thinner grip panels on the 225/P6

Yes, the only P6s I've had in hand were outfitted with OME grips. I must confess my ignorance as to what is available on the aftermarket for them. Out of curiosity just how much of a reduction in width can be obtained by after market grips?

 

[wbwanzer]

The 3913 has been discontinued but there are used ones available. I bought mine over the internet last year. I just did a quick search over on GunBroker and found some.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've never measured them, because I happen to like the feel of the 225 stock grips, but if you'll bear with me, we can try this train of logic.

The 225/P6 is the same width as the 228, the 228 with the Hogue aluminum grips feels thinner, it would seem to follow that the 225/P6 with the Hogue aluminum grips would be thinner...surely as thin as the Gen 3 S&W. But that is just reasoning as opposed to actually measurement.

For a thin 9mm, I've personally chosen the Kahr CW9...but it has neither an exposed hammer or a de-cocker/safety as it is DAO

 

[DAP90]

It's essentially a Sig 225.......presuming you didn't overlook that one.

The 3913 does have an exposed hammer, it just doesn't have a hammer spur. However, the top of the hammer is serrated, so you can slightly cock the hammer via the trigger, then complete the cocking stroke with the support thumb to single action.

It's not difficult to do, once you get the feel of it, but in practical applications, there isn't much need for it.

No, I missed the P225 too. After checking it looks like that's another discontinued model so it's no longer on the website.

I'll see what I can find out about used versions. Thanks.

I also saw that spurred hammers are available for the 3913 as an aftermarket option.

 

[DAP90]

How about a Sig 239?

It seems that the P239 has a decocker but no safety; at least based on reviews. The Sig website is not the best for detailed info.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You'll find that many DA/SA guns have deleted the safety and retained the de-cocker...most of the ones you find where they have retained the safety, with the de-cocker, are older designs.... like the S&W and Beretta who used the same piece to block the hammer while de-cocking

The only DA/SA Sig with a safety and decocker is the 230/232...which are chambered in .380